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Genetic Etiquette
I am choosing to share intimate personal experiences with you which are not normally disclosed. Please allow others with genetic disease in their families to continue with their private lives. Find out more at Genetic Etiquette at http://katepreskenis.com/welcome/genetic-etiquette/

My project
A guillotine hovers above me, threatening my hopes and dreams, including marriage, children, and career. I am 35. My book, The Gene Guillotine: An Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Memoir, is about being the third generation in a family affected by early-onset Alzheimer's disease. My mother’s symptoms began at 48, and she established a proactive and controversial living will, insisting on dying on her own terms rather than lingering for years in a vegetative body the way my grandmother died.

The National Institute of Health found the mutated gene that stalks our biological makeup. 20/20, PBS, and The Leeza Show have featured my family (the Noonan family). I live under my own magnifying glass, a constant examination of my memory, choice of words, and emotional state. Now, through the crystal ball of genetics, I can find out my future.

Publish
My goal is to publish my book, The Gene Guillotine, in January 2011. The timing is significant as CNN is airing a documentary in 2011 on early-onset Alzheimer's in which my family and I are interviewed. I would like my book ready for sale before the CNN documentary airs. I am a waitress and do not have the funds to publish this book on my own.

Plan
I will finalize the book’s cover and interior layout and then edit the manuscript. After the book is formatted, I will have it proofread again for any additional mistakes or formatting errors. Meanwhile, I will be asking for reviewers to read and write comments on the book and for promotion on my website. At this time, I am planning to self-publish this book. It will be for sale on my website, Amazon, and ebook sites.

Hope
My hope is that this book will do the following:
* help families affected by Alzheimer's disease and people who suffer from genetic mutations to feel less alone and help normalize their emotions.
* educate physicians, researchers, and the general public about the effect of genetic mutations and the turmoil associated with the possibility of knowing one's genetic inheritance.
* show love in care-giving for Alzheimer's patients.
* show both the importance and difficulty of honoring living wills.
* increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease and prompt more funding for Alzheimer's research to find a cure.

Your support
Your monetary support will be utilized for interior book design and formatting, book cover design, final editing of the proof, purchase of ISBN numbers, ebook conversions, review copies, shipping for review copies, printing and mailing press release packages, promotion postcards, PayPal setup, website adjustments, marketing, Kickstarter and Amazon fees, and a FIRST PRINT RUN!!! Yahoo! Thank you!

I hope you will also be my voice to your part of the world. I appreciate your emails, phone calls, social media support, and good old-fashioned face-to-face coffee conversations to spread the word about my book, The Gene Guillotine.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

The reward will be my book! Your choice of paperback or ebook format. (Add $15 for international shipping.) The ebook will not be available as early as the paperback book, but you are welcome to request it and I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

One book for you and a second book will be donated in your name to your local Alzheimer's Association, hospice organization, or public library (your choice). (Add $15 for international shipping.) The ebook will not be available as early as the paperback book, but you are welcome to request it and I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

ADVANCE COPY. I would like to offer two books: one book for you, and the second book will be donated in your name to your local Alzheimer's Association, hospice organization, or public library (your choice). Your book will be sent to you ONE WEEK PRIOR TO PUBLIC AVAILABILITY! (Add $15 for international shipping.) The ebook will not be available as early as the paperback book, but you are welcome to request it and I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

ADVANCE COPIES. 5 books for you (your friends and family), plus 2 books will be donated in your name to your local Alzheimer's Association, hospice organization, or public library (your choice). Your books will be sent to you ONE WEEK PRIOR TO PUBLIC AVAILABILITY! (Add $45 for international shipping.) The ebook will not be available as early as the paperback book, but you are welcome to request it and I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

ADVANCE COPIES. 10 books for you (your friends, family, book club, support group), plus 4 books will be donated in your name to your local Alzheimer's Association, hospice organization, or public library (your choice). Plus a 30-minute live question/answer Skype session featuring me, the author, with your book club, writers group, or Alzheimer's support group. Your books will be sent to you ONE WEEK PRIOR TO PUBLIC AVAILABILITY! (Add $45 for international shipping.) The ebook will not be available as early as the paperback book, but you are welcome to request it and I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Dinner for two at New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro in Talent, Oregon. I will be your primary waitress, share my personal menu favorites, and give you a copy of my book in person. Food will be prepared by the amazing owner-chef Charlene Rollins, and a moderately priced bottle of wine will be paired and hand-selected by owner-wine expert Vernon Rollins. You are welcome to choose your own bottle from the vast wine list at your own expense.
*January to May 2011, dependent upon reservation availability and my schedule.